Undoubtedly, Paris is the haute couture capital of the world where you can buy top fashion goods in luxury boutiques as well as last year’s models at surprisingly low prices in its numerous discount shops. Other great cities for shopping are Lyon, Marseille and Nice. France’s top fashion boutiques and all-encompassing  department stores are preferred by the French and international clientèle. Flea markets – a traditional French phenomenon – happen once or twice a week in every French neighborhood and are not to be missed!

French wines are an indispensable part of your purchasing experience in  France. You should visit the wineries and enjoy the free samples . Wineries are open daily from 9 am to 9 pm and  you can buy wine by the bottle. Some wineries will even ship your wine for free. French champagne and cognac are also highly recommended. A liberal sampling   of French cheeses is a must, as  are French chocolates and pastries. You should consider buying  traditional French delicacies such as pâtés and mustard too.

French porcelain is of exceptional quality especially ones produced in the city of Limoges. Lalique and the Baccarat crystals are world renowned and worth every penny. French tapestries and hand blown glass are an interesting alternative for the visitor who wants to make an unconventional purchase. Fine lace and ceramics can be excellent presents for your friends and family when you get back home.  French handcrafted items are traditionally of extremely high quality and the available varieties are usually mind-boggling.

Shopping hours in France are from 9am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday. Food stores tend to stay open a bit longer. Sales take place in January and July when it is really worth shopping since  prices usually drop 50 percent. Big department stores like Printemps and Galerie Lafayette are a convenient and economic shopping alternative under one roof. They offer a wide choice of textile, clothes, domestic decoration, furniture, cosmetics and perfumes. When you enter a French shop remember to show your respect towards the staff; be nice and polite. It is preferable to greet the staff in French to demonstrate that you are a serious buyer and not just a window-shopper.

Some of the best French cities to go on a shopping spree include Paris, Marseille and Lyon. While the City of Lights offers an exuberance of fashion houses and designer boutiques, it also boasts some well-known department stores. A particular challenge are the Parisian street markets, where you can sharpen your bargaining techniques Shopping in Marseille, the country’s largest commercial port, happens at Le Bourse. The city’s spending hub is awash in shoe and jewellery shops, designer boutiques, and also has a Virgin Megastore open seven days a week. Lyon, France’s third largest city, is a designer's mecca, its multitude of fashion shops almost outnumbering the capital’s. Lyon is also world famous for its chocolate and pastries.